NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM ANNOUNCED

Sophie Bennett will undertake the role of nurturing the up-and-coming talent in the new National Academy, along with coordinating the Wales National Squads. Fielies Coetsee will take on the role of Head Coach with Jason Lewis coming on board as Assistant Coach.

Sophie Bennett moves into the full-time role of WWRU National Academy Coordinator, from her current position as Community Development Manager for Gloucester Rugby. She will take responsibility for providing guidance and support to the most promising female players in Wales.

South African Coetsee comes into the role with an impressive record as Backs, Fitness and Defence coach of the recently promoted Glamorgan Wanderers. He will continue as Head Coach of the Wanderers alongside his Wales commitments. A Financial Manager for Thomas Carroll Group, he also brings an extensive playing background including a time in the Springbok 7s Training side.

Assistant Coach, Jason Lewis, is currently employed by the WRU to coordinate the UKCC Coaching programme, following his involvement as WRU Development Officer and then Director of Rugby for the Cardiff Blues region. He has valuable experience as forwards coach for Glamorgan Wanderers and Head Coach of Cardiff University.

Working alongside Fielies and Jason will be a dedicated management team. Former WWRU National Academy Coordinator and Wales Development International, Zoe Eaton, will assume the role of Manager, with Anna Mayes as Sports Psychologist, Sian Hughes as Physiotherapist, Dr Sarah Hamilton as Doctor and Andrea Fairless as Sports Masseur.

UWIC-based David Watts and Ryan Harris have been brought on board as fitness consultants for the WWRU. Directing the Wales Development squad for the season will be ex-international and last year's Wales U19 Assistant Coach, Liza Burgess, with the support of Assistant Coach, Bryn Postans, who took UWIC women to the BUSA Title in 2003. Esther Eckley and Ami Jones make up the team as Manager and Physiotherapist respectively.

Jilly Holroyd, Manager of Women's and Girls' Rugby said, "The appointment of Sophie in the crucial National Academy Coordinator's role will ensure that well-rounded and professionally-minded players are consistently moving through the system.

"Finding the new National Coaches has been a relatively long but valuable process and I am confident that Fielies, Jason, Liza and Bryn will make a very good team that will lead the squads to a successful season."

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Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

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The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

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